A small but seriously cool update was pushed to the Google Developers website today, launching a new section that gives Nexus owners download links to OTA (over the air) update files in addition to the full factory images we’ve used before. The website is currently showing the two most recent Android 6.0.1 OTAs for all Nexus devices since the Nexus 7 (2013), as well as the Pixel C.
With these OTA files, you can quickly update your Nexus phone or tablet using the “adb sideload” command via your connected computer without going through the extra hurdles of downloading a full system image, unpacking it and flashing the individual pieces. With the OTA update file you also don’t have to worry about accidentally wiping your data during the update. But most importantly for many folks, the use of adb sideload doesn’t require an unlocked bootloader, saving you yet another step in the process.
You’re still going to have to do a little legwork to manually update your Nexus this way, though, as it still requires the use of ADB. But for those who have previously held out for someone to yank the OTA file each and every time updates roll out to Nexuses, this page will save the hassle and provide a direct download link.
If you need more information on how this process works, Google has the tools available on its website, and we have step-by-step instructions in the guide below.